Charlie McAvoy admitted to hospital, will not play in 4 Nations Face-Off final

Team USA’s blueline at the 4 Nations Face-Off will be without one of their top players against Team Canada in Thursday’s final.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was admitted to a Boston area hospital on Monday night reportedly due to an infection stemming from an upper-body injury. The Bruins released a statement ruling McAvoy out of the final on Tuesday morning.

“Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis,” the statement reads. “He will not play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as they become available.”

The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride first reported McAvoy’s hospital visit during Monday night’s USA-Sweden game. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli later shared the details of the infection and that there is “no long-term concern” for the 27-year-old rearguard.

USA head coach Mike Sullivan, McAvoy’s father-in-law, previously labeled the defender out with an upper-body injury. He was one of three USA players who did not play in the team’s 2-1 loss to Sweden due to injury concerns, joining Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk and leaving the team with just 17 healthy skaters.

During Monday’s game, the USA also lost Brady Tkachuk due to a lower-body injury after he crashed into Sweden’s net early in the first period. Sullivan said postgame that the younger Tkachuk’s absence was just precautionary.

Per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, both Tkachuk brothers are expected to dress against Canada. The USA is also reportedly seeking clarification from the NHL on whether they can call up an injury replacement for McAvoy ahead of the final. Jake Sanderson, the team’s extra defenseman, played 17:08 of ice time against Sweden.

Puck drop for the tournament’s final game is set for 8 pm inside Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday night.